Seminole Democrats: Hispanic, black caucuses signal growing strength

August 12, 2009|By Rachael Jackson, Sentinel Staff Writer

Seminole Democrats recently started a Hispanic caucus and are forming a black caucus -- steps that party officials say are showing how the party is gaining ground in a county long dominated by Republicans.

The Hispanic caucus -- a group that meets regularly to advocate for the interests of Hispanic Democrats -- was formed in June with Luis Pastrana as its president. Just five years ago, Pastrana said, he didn't think forming a caucus would have been possible.

"I don't believe that the political will was there," Pastrana said. Now, he said, as the county prepares for a bilingual ballot expected to be federally required in 2012, things are different.

Ever since President Barack Obama started campaigning, the county Democratic Party's fortunes have been changing. Membership is increasing, fueled by a list of volunteers the Obama campaign gave the local party. A year ago in July, a permanent office was opened in Altamonte Springs.

Chris Lomas, chairwoman of the county's Democratic Executive Committee, said the group used to feel like a club. Now it feels like a stronger force, she said.

Marian Williams, a state committeewoman who heads the Seminole Democrats' affirmative-action committee, said she hopes to set up a caucus for people with disabilities by October and one for veterans by February. The party will have an open forum about the black caucus Tuesday at the county library in Casselberry.

"There are many people who complain that they're not a part of the political process, and this gives them a chance to tie in," she said.

Pastrana said the Hispanic caucus will focus on changing Seminole County's commission to election by district rather than countywide. The current system, he said, makes it difficult for a Hispanic candidate to be elected.

In December 2007, 32.4 percent of registered voters in Seminole were Democrats, while 43.9 percent were Republicans. Today, 34.9 percent are Democrats and 41.1 percent are Republicans.

While Democratic leaders say membership in the local party organization has risen from about 60 people a year ago to 80 today, their grip on new registrants has slipped recently because more Seminole residents have been registering as independents. Among voters who registered in June, 186 were Republicans, 201 were Democrats and 263 were independents or did not list a party affiliation.

Seminole's Republican Party, which has been dominant since the 1980s, doesn't have caucuses. Jason Brodeur, chairman of the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee, said his organization isn't focusing on particular groups but is trying to reach out to voters in general by attending events and being visible.